Spiral-bucket watek-wheel



l.. F F I C E LORENZO DOW ADKINS, OF PERRY TOWNSHIP, WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.

SPIRAL-BUCKET WATER-WHEEL.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 1,154. dated May 17, 1889.

T0 all whom it may concern.'

Be in known. that I, LORENZO Dow ADKINs, of Perry township, State ofOhio, have invented a new and useful Horizontal Spiral- Bucket Wheel forPropelling Mills and other Machinery, which is described as follows,reference being had to the annexed drawings of the same, making parts ofthis specication.

Figure I, represents the horizontal water wheel detached from thebulkhead and cases surrounding it. Fig. 2, the exterior of the cases andbulkhead surrounding the wheel. Figs. 3 and 4, rings of acking insertedbetween the bulkhead, and cases to render the joints water tight.

` This wheel consists of a cylindrical shaft A of any convenient lengthand diameter placed in a horizontal position, having gudgeons B, turningin boxes supported on a suitable frame. From the middle of this shaft,on the periphery thereof diverge to the right and left, curved bucketsC, extending around the shaft about one third of its circumference,forming a figure nearly resembling a V, from the extremities of whichV-shaped buckets extend spiral buckets D in a reverse direction to thebuckets C C in a spiral direction in the manner of the`Archimedeanscrew, one ofthe buckets winding tothe left to one end of the shaft andthe other bucket winding around to the right toward the other end of theshaft; other spiral buckets shaped similar to those just described windaround the shaft in the spaces between the spiral buckets just describedeX- tending from the extremities of other V buckets similar to bucketsC, C, and placed oppositethus forming two parallel spiral buckets oneach side of the center V buckets extending from the extremitiesthereof; in the spaces between the V buckets just described are arrangedother V buckets E arranged parallel with them. These buckets do notextend as far as the spiral bucketsof course there are spaces betweenthe ends of these V buckets E and the spiral buckets D for the passageof the water from the former to the latter. The V buckets are surroundedby a permanent circular case F, Fig. 2, fixed toany convenient part of asuitable frame having an oblong opening in one side for admittln thewater to the wheel, which o ening 1s surrounded by a straight trunk,'Fig. 2, for conveying the water to the buckets.

The case F and trunk G are termed the bulkhead.

The spiral buckets are surrounded by tight cylindrical cases H, H, forconfining the water between the buckets-they are fastened to the Wheeland turn with it inside the center case or bulkhead-the joints at Ibeing secured by proper packing to prevent the escape of water at saidjoints, such as the ring, represented at K. Figs. 3 and 4, which aremade of leather or other suitable material of a thickness sufficient tofill the spaces between the outside of the cases F F and the inside ofthe bulkhead, in which said cases of the wheel turn. Each of saidcylindrical cases is open at both ends.

The water is conducted by the trunk G, Fig. 2, and is admitted throughthe opening in the side of the bulkhead, strikes the V buckets on theright and left of the center and acts by percussion in turning the wheelin the same direction that the water moves; it then acts by gravity onthe lined surfaces of the spiral buckets in seeking a vent at each endto the right and left, causing the wheel to turn in the same directionand thus a continued rotar motion is given to the wheel which may econveyed to machinery to be propelled by any of the known agencies mostapproved of.

This wheel may be propelled by ste-am as well as water. When the wateris insufficient to turn the wheel, horse power may be added by means ofcogged gearing.

The invention claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent,consists 1. In the arrangement of the curved V buckets C on the surfaceof the cylindrical shaft A at the center thereof which connect the endsof the spiral bucket-s winding to the right and left Iaround the shaftin a reverse direction to said V buckets which divide the columns ofwater at the center of the wheel where it is admitted causing it to acton the right and left by percussion and reaction-the water escaping ateach end of the wheel, as before described.

2. The arrangement of the bulkhead F for conducting water to the wheel,in combination with the cylindrical cases H, H, surrounding the spiralbuckets and turning in said bulkhead for keeping the water between thebuckets until it escapes at the ends of the wheel as before described.

LORENZO DOW ADKINS.

Witnesses:

JACOB MILLER, ADAM MILLER.

